Apple A12Z Bionic vs Apple A16 Bionic (5-CPU 4-GPU)

The Apple A12Z Bionic, introduced in March 2020, was specifically designed for demanding tablet applications.

It is manufactured using a 7nm process and features an architecture with four performance cores, four efficiency cores, and eight graphics core units. With 8 MB of L2 cache and a maximum memory bandwidth of 68 GB/s, it delivers solid single-core and multi-core performance, suitable for multitasking and creative tasks.

The integrated Apple A12Z graphics unit offers robust gaming performance. Its 7nm manufacturing ensures balanced energy efficiency. Devices with this chip are often available today at a good price-performance ratio, ideal for users seeking proven performance. The Apple A16 Bionic, unveiled in September 2022, is primarily developed for high-end smartphones and relies on a more advanced 4nm manufacturing process.

According to specifications, it offers 5 CPU cores and 4 GPU cores, complemented by a larger 20 MB L2 cache and 24 MB L3 cache. The Apple A16 Bionic demonstrates significantly higher single-core performance, surpassing that of the Apple A12Z Bionic by over 10 percent. It is also distinctly superior in multi-core performance.

The newer Apple A16 graphics unit enables a better gaming experience with higher frame rates. Its 4nm manufacturing ensures excellent energy efficiency, making it ideal for current, demanding mobile applications, although its memory bandwidth is 51 GB/s.